Fractions, Decimals, and Parts of a Whole · Term 2

Comparing Fractions with Different Denominators

Students compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators by creating common denominators or numerators using visual models.

About This Topic

Fossils provide a window into the ancient past, allowing students to reconstruct ecosystems that existed millions of years ago. In the Ontario curriculum, this topic helps students understand that the Earth is constantly changing and that life has evolved in response to those changes. Students will learn how fossils form and what they can tell us about the climate and geography of prehistoric Canada, such as the fact that much of Ontario was once covered by a warm, shallow sea.

This unit also touches on the work of paleontologists and the importance of protecting fossil sites. It is a great opportunity to discuss the Burgess Shale in British Columbia as a world-renowned Canadian fossil site. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of fossilization through hands-on 'excavations' and collaborative reconstructions.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Making Trace Fossils

Students use clay and various objects (shells, leaves, plastic dinosaurs) to create 'molds' and 'casts.' They swap their molds with another group who must try to identify the 'organism' and what it was doing based on the print.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: Layers of Time

Using different colors of sand or soil in a clear container, students 'bury' objects at different levels. They then 'excavate' them and discuss why the objects at the bottom are usually the oldest, simulating the law of superposition.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Mystery Fossil

Show a picture of a strange fossil (like an Anomalocaris). Pairs must brainstorm three things they can tell about its environment (e.g., did it live in water or on land?) based only on its physical features.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Fossils are actually pieces of bone or wood.

What to Teach Instead

Fossils are usually rock; the original organic material has been replaced by minerals. Having students handle a real fossil versus a modern bone helps them feel the difference in weight and texture.

Common Misconception

All living things eventually become fossils.

What to Teach Instead

Fossilization is extremely rare and requires very specific conditions (like quick burial). A 'fossilization game' where students see how many 'organisms' are eaten or rot away before they can be buried helps illustrate this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students understand fossils?

Since we can't visit the past, active learning through simulations and modeling is essential. When students create their own 'fossils' using clay and plaster, they understand the physical process of mold and cast formation. 'Excavating' a cookie or a sand tray helps them appreciate the patience and precision required in real paleontology.

Where can you find fossils in Ontario?

The Niagara Escarpment and the shores of the Great Lakes are excellent places to find fossils of ancient sea creatures like trilobites and brachiopods.

What is the difference between a body fossil and a trace fossil?

A body fossil is a part of the actual organism (like a tooth), while a trace fossil is a sign that the organism was there (like a footprint or a burrow).

How do fossils prove that Canada's climate has changed?

We find fossils of tropical plants and coral reefs in parts of Canada that are now very cold, proving that the land was once in a much warmer climate zone.

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